In Memorial

A nation begun from war.
Revere the messenger who brought the word;
His purpose fulfilled to they
Who relied on his diligence and heard.

We remember the men who,
Amidst bombs bursting and rockets' red glare,
Raised a tattered flag to show
Freedom of a country would still be theirs.

Men who braved the wilderness
In search of many lands and oceans wide.
Who gave their lives for a fort,
Whose name would rally a land to great pride.

But do not forget those who
Were first warred upon and destroyed wholly;
Those who gave their loves and lost,
Lost their homelands to wars numbered forty.

We honor fallen brothers
Killing and shooting their own countrymen
For freedom of truly all
And a chance for us to begin again.

Do not forget those who died
For the conquest of rocks and leaves in seas.
The islands that became foes
And joined those whom we name our enemies.

Remember French countrysides
Bathed in bloody metal, trenches and fears
Where nine million fallen
Shout: "Don't let our warning fall on dead ears!"

But the world did not listen,
And let hatred fester in their hearts yet.
Remember the slaughtered ones
Torn asunder, shredding a continent.

Beaches of ash, soot and smoke;
Soldiers slain even before they left seas.
Honor their great bravery,
Dying for liberty of all countries.

Commemorate those who fought
To free the south of another nation,
And the many later lost
To jungles of insanity and sin.

Remember deserts and forests
Far away but still in chaos and screams.
Honor those who return home
And those who come beneath a flag of dreams.

Embrace those left here with us;
The parents and children, husbands and wives.
Whether longing or mourning,
Love them in the lonely time of their lives.

Respect the long since finished
Among us every day and everywhere.
Remember what they've endured;
Listen to them when they decide to share.

Regardless of politics,
Or religion, gender, race or belief,
Remember those who gave all
To lands of the brave and homes of the free.